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A FAMILY HEALTH MAGAZINE FROM K
4-Year-Old Thrives
After Brain Surgery
Page 4
Don’t Let Crohn’s Slow
Your Busy Teen
Page 6
Grade-School Bullying:
Spot the Signs for
Your Child
Page 12
A Sports-Safety
Playbook for Your Child
Page 14
SPRING 2012
HOVNANIAN CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL

In This
4 67
11
12
13
14
15
Toddler Thrives After
Brain Surgery
Issue
Team Approach Helps Busy Teen
Manage Crohn’s Disease
KidMazing:
A Section for Kids!
Local Mom Benefits from
Compassionate Cancer Care
Sticks and Stones Start Young:
Bullying in Elementary School
Finish Line by Fall:
Running Your First 5K
Your Guide to Preventing Sprains,
Strains, and Shin Splints
Play It Safe on the
Playground
On the cover: Ryan Terry is an active
4-year-old today, thanks to the brain
surgery he had at K. Hovnanian
Children’s Hospital when he was 3.
Turn to page 4 for his whole story.
Steven G. Littleson, FACHE, President
Meridian KidViews is a free quarterly magazine
prepared by the Marketing and Communications Team
of Meridian Health. Inquiries or ideas can be addressed
to kidviews@meridianhealth.com.
Peter Wegener, Esq., Chairman, Meridian Health
Board of Trustees
John K. Lloyd, FACHE, President, Meridian Health
Chrisie Scott, Vice President of Marketing and
Corporate Communications, Meridian Health
Ryan Younger, Director of Marketing,
Meridian Pediatric Network
Steven Kairys, M.D., Medical Advisor
Photography: Jacki Kronstedt
© 2012 Meridian Health
The material provided in this magazine is intended to
be used as general information only and should not
replace the advice of your physician or your child’s
pediatrician. Always consult your physician or your
child’s pediatrician for individual care.
Meridian Pediatric Network
Steven G. Littleson, FACHE
President,
Jersey Shore University Medical Center and
K. Hovnanian Children’s Hospital
Spring is in the air, and with it comes April showers, May flowers, and a
wealth of opportunities to get outside and get active. This issue is focused on helping
you and your family do just that — and do it safely.
You will find a step-by-step guide to running your first 5K by fall on page 13, just
in time to train for Jersey Shore’s third annual 5K race on September 16. Or run one
earlier, on May 19, when Meridian kicks off its Heart and Sole Cup at Ocean. Pages 14
and 15 are jam-packed with tips for keeping your kids injury-free, with expert advice on
avoiding sprains, strains, and shin splints, plus important playground safety pointers.
Our 100-plus pediatric specialists are looking out for you, too, providing in-depth
expertise and consultation. Take 4-year-old Ryan Terry, for one. He survived brain
surgery thanks to Thomas Steineke, M.D. (page 4). And on page 6, you can read
about how Azam Soroush, M.D., helped teenager Ryan Pecora learn to effectively
manage his Crohn’s disease.
As we start preparing for summer, have your kids turn to page 10, where they can
help Picatso, a member of the Pawsitive Action Team, create his very own summer
reading list. We’ll print the suggestions in our next issue. Until then, stay healthy.
Sincerely,
& wellness
KHovnanianChildrensHospital.com
A Message to Our Readers
What’s New at MeridianMomtourage.com?
To find out what local expectant and experienced moms
are talking about and browse our physician directory, visit
MeridianMomtourage.com today. Or scan this icon with
your smartphone to access it now. Download the free
mobile scanning app by going to http://gettag/mobi on
your smartphone.

In the News
Siblings Noah, 10, and Jillian Schaad, 12, like being active.
Whether it’s swimming (Jillian) or playing baseball (Noah), they
both know the importance of drinking water — not energy drinks.
Energy Drinks Send More
Americans to the
Emergency Department
One popular energy drink claims to give you wings. But you
might get a quick trip to the hospital instead. Emergency
Department visits due to these beverages increased tenfold
between 2005 and 2009.
“Energy drinks can contribute to abnormal heart rhythms,
dehydration, and life-threatening injuries,” says Steven Kairys,
M.D., medical director for K. Hovnanian Children’s Hospital.
“That’s especially true when they’re combined with alcohol.”
About 11 percent of these emergencies occur in children
ages 12 to 17, and 45 percent are in young adults ages 18
to 25.
“These drinks contain more caffeine and other stimulants
than most kids or teens should consume,” says Dr. Kairys.
“Steer your children toward water instead.”
Keep Kids Safe from
Window Falls
It’s a horrifying statistic: More than 5,000 U.S. children are injured
each year in falls from windows.
Fortunately, the number has been decreasing in recent years,
according to a new report. About 10 cases each year are fatal.
Children who are age 4 or younger, who fall from three stories or
higher, or who land on hard surfaces are more likely to sustain
serious or life-threatening injuries.
“To keep your little ones out of harm’s way, use window guards or
locks,” says Nasir Ahmed, M.D., a trauma surgeon at Jersey Shore
University Medical Center. “Move furniture away from windows.
Place bushes or plant beds, not concrete, under windows outside to
cushion falls.”
OMG: Bullies Turn to Texting
Cell phones may be the new tools of choice for school yard bullies.
More kids and teens are being victimized by text message.
About 24 percent of youths ages 10 to 15 said they had been
harassed by text in a new survey, up from 14 percent the year
before. Bullies sent rude or threatening comments, spread rumors,
or made unwanted sexual advances.
Researchers say texts are becoming the main form of
communication for kids and teens. “If your child or teen texts,
have a conversation about what’s appropriate and what’s not,”
says Samia Ayoub, M.D., chief of the Department of Pediatrics at
Bayshore Community Hospital. “Role-play potential responses to
bullying so that he or she knows how to react.”
Texting has become a main form of communication for many
teens, like Monmouth Regional High School freshmen Sydney
Lucas and Joshua Bailey.
>>
Fast-Forward
Is bullying happening at your child’s elementary
school? Turn to page 12 to learn what signs to
watch for.
K HOVNANIAN CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL 3

“
Four-year-old Ryan Terry
loves playing with his toy trains
at his grandmother’s house.
He’s able to do that, and much
more, thanks to the experts at
K. Hovnanian Children’s Hospital,
who performed brain surgery on
him when he was 3.
Toddler Thrives After Brain Surgery
Ryan has come a long
way. He’s smart and
funny and has a great
personality.
”
– Mary Margaret
Buklarewicz
3-year-old
Ryan Terry was sometimes a little wobbly
on his feet. But then his grandmother, Mary
Margaret Buklarewicz, who lives with the
family and helps take care of Ryan, noticed
something odd. Ryan was keeping his neck
stiff all the time, hunching his shoulders,
and tripping up to eight times a day.
She took him to his pediatrician and
later to Roopal Karia, M.D., a pediatric
neurologist at K. Hovnanian Children’s
Hospital at Jersey Shore University
Medical Center. Dr. Karia insisted that
Ryan go to Jersey Shore for an MRI. The
scan revealed a tumor at the end of his
KHovnanianChildrensHospital.com
brain stem. Without surgery to remove
the growth, his family was told, Ryan
would lose the ability to walk.
“We were a mess,” recalls Mary Margaret.
Ryan’s tumor was diagnosed as a
neurofibroma, a noncancerous growth on
his nerve tissue caused by neurofibromatosis,
a genetic condition. Affected parents
have a 50 percent chance of passing it on
to their children. Ryan’s mother, Alison
Buklarewicz, has the condition, too, but
she has never had a neurofibroma near her
brain, so her symptoms had been different.
Even though Ryan’s family was
knowledgeable about his diagnosis, and

Thomas Steineke, M.D.
Neurosurgery and
Pediatric Neurosurgery
Wall | 732-974-0003
even though Alison has gone through
half a dozen procedures to remove tumors
from her body, preparing Ryan for brain
surgery was emotionally stressful. The
compassion and skill of Meridian’s experts
helped the family cope.
Expert Pediatric Surgeons
Because Ryan’s tumor was in such a
difficult location, several doctors discussed
his case to determine the best way to
approach the removal. Thomas Steineke,
M.D., a pediatric neurosurgeon affiliated
with K. Hovnanian Children’s Hospital,
proposed removing the tumor via the back
of Ryan’s neck. The physician team agreed
that this approach — which would be less
invasive — was the best course of action.
“Traditionally this type of tumor would
have been removed through a complex
operation with significant dissection
that requires an extended amount of
recovery time,” Dr. Steineke explains.
“We were able to remove the tumor from
a dangerous location through a small tube.
This is one of the first times a tumor in
this location has been removed with this
type of minimally invasive technique.”
Dr. Steineke is just one of the many
Meridian experts devoted to treating
children. K. Hovnanian Children’s Hospital
Our Specialists Are Here for You
Did you know K. Hovnanian Children’s Hospital has
more than 100 pediatric specialists ready to help your
child? Call 1-800-DOCTORS ® to request a FREE listing
of our specialists.
has a team of pediatric specialists on call
day and night, and surgeons are equipped
to help kids. This expertise means better
outcomes for patients — and less anxiety
for family members in the waiting room.
‘Tremendous’ Staff,
Positive Outcome
Ryan’s procedure went well: Dr. Steineke
was able to remove the entire tumor.
“Dr. Steineke’s a godsend,” Mary
Margaret says. “He’s a brain surgeon,
but he’s very, very down to earth.”
Like his mother, Ryan will need to
be monitored for the rest of his life, and
there’s a 10 percent chance the tumor will
grow back in the same spot in his brain.
Still, Mary Margaret says, “Ryan has
come a long way.”
He now goes to preschool three days a
week. Twice a week Mary Margaret takes
him to occupational and physical therapy.
He is learning to walk up and down stairs
and recently mastered jumping, getting
both feet off the ground to the delight of
his therapist and grandmother.
“Physically, he’s behind other kids,”
Mary Margaret says, “but mentally, he’s
fine. He’s smart and funny and has a
great personality.”
The Mickey Mouse fan, who is now
4, also has a bright future, thanks to Dr.
Steineke and Meridian’s staff of experts.
“We had a great experience with
everyone there,” Mary Margaret says.
“The nurses are absolutely phenomenal,
and everyone working there is tremendous.
They are very caring, loving people.”
K. Hovnanian
Children’s Hospital Team
Adolescent Medicine
Steven Kairys, M.D.
Allergy
Carmine DeFusco, M.D.
Gary Gross, M.D.
Sabita Misra, M.D.
Tarun Shah, M.D.
Ellen Sher, M.D.
Anesthesiology
Peter Vaclavik, M.D.
Asthma Center & Pulmonology
Charles Dadzie, M.D.
Nader J. Nakhleh, D.O.
Autism Center and Developmental Pediatrics
Denise Aloisio, M.D.
Anne Roth, D.O.
Cardiology
Mitchel Alpert, M.D.
Elsa Castro, M.D.
Nakul Chandra, M.D.
Loyda Rivera, M.D.
Maria Angela Umali-Pamintuan, M.D.
Vincent Zales, M.D.
Child Protection Center
Steven Kairys, M.D.
Child Psychiatry
Stacy Doumas, M.D.
Peter Ganime, M.D.
Ramon Sohlkhah, M.D.
Critical Care
Charles Dadzie, M.D.
Bruce Grossman, M.D.
Matthew MacCarrick, M.D.
Samuel Thomas, M.D.
Dentistry
Sylvester Awagu, D.M.D.
Jocelyn Jeffries-Bruno, D.D.S.
Stuart Lippsett, D.D.S.
Frederic Paperth, D.M.D.
Seymour Semah, D.M.D.
Donn Winokur, D.D.S.
Brett Wohlstetter, D.D.S.
Diabetes Center and Endocrinology
Santhosh Eapen, M.D.
Cynthia Meyers-Seifer, M.D.
Margarita Smotkin-Tangorra, D.O.
Emergency Medicine
Khoshnood Ahmad, M.D.
Lisa Bakhos, M.D.
Katherine Baranowski, M.D.
Prashant Chutke, M.D.
Jaime Kaweblum, M.D.
Anna Nowinowska, M.D.
Hassam Radwan, M.D.
Jonathan Reyes, M.D.
Maria Cynthia Ruiz-DeLara, M.D.
Gastroenterology
Marcos Alfie, M.D.
Susan Rosenthal, M.D.
Girish C. Sharma, M.D.
Azam Soroush, M.D.
General Surgery
Ahmed G. Mami, M.D.
Saad Saad, M.D.
1-800-DOCTORS
Hematology/Oncology
Richard Drachtman, M.D.
John W. Glod, M.D.
Margaret Masterson, M.D.
Susan Murphy, M.D.
Michelle Neier, M.D.
Wilbur Pan, M.D.
Aaron Weiss, D.O.
Hospitalist Program
Cathleen Ballance, M.D.
Steven Kairys, M.D.
Srividya Naganathan, M.D.
Jamie Pinto, M.D.
Janet Schairer, M.D.
Paul Schwartzberg, D.O.
Rose St. Fleur, M.D.
Infectious Disease
Aswine Bal, M.D.
Maria Dawis, M.D.
Elizabeth Mammen-Prasad, M.D.
Neonatology
Elizabeth Assing, M.D.
Eduardo Bautista, M.D.
Michael Graff, M.D.
Meltem Karatas, M.D.
Helen Karwowska, M.D.
Avinash Purohit, M.D.
David Ramos, M.D.
Ann Ross, M.D.
Nephrology
Sevgi Gurkan, M.D.
Lynne Weiss, M.D.
Neurology and Epilepsy Center
Roopal Karia, M.D.
Dorothy Pietrucha, M.D.
Rajesh Sachdeo, M.D.
Richard Sultan, D.O.
Neurosurgery
Thomas Steineke, M.D.
Ophthalmology
Ilene Pardon, M.D.
Lawrence Turtel, M.D.
Orthopedics
Stephen E. Adolfsen, M.D.
Andrew Bowe, M.D.
Heather Harnly, M.D.
Samuel Laufer, M.D.
John McKeon, M.D.
Thomas McPartland, M.D.
Lawrence Stankovits, M.D.
Phillip Therrien, M.D.
David Weisman, M.D.
Otolaryngology (Ear, Nose, and Throat)
Samuel Engel, M.D.
Sean Houston, M.D.
Mary Mitskavich, M.D.
Michael Tavill, M.D.
Procedural Sedation
Bruce Grossman, M.D.
Matthew MacCarrick, M.D.
Samuel Thomas, M.D.
Sports Medicine
Alan Cabasso, M.D.
Stephen Rice, M.D.
Christopher Zukowski, D.O.
Urology
Michael Fleisher, M.D.
Thomas Vates, M.D.
i
Tu
MOMS
Dress Your Feet
for Success —
And Comfort
Are you a slave to fashion-forward
footwear? You might be doing
damage to more than just your
pocketbook. For women, ill-fitting
and irritating shoes could contribute
to health issues.
“During the average day, your feet
will endure several hundred tons of
pressure,” says Carmela Rocchetti,
M.D., an internist at Jersey Shore
University Medical Center. “The right
shoes can make all the difference.”
Follow these tips from Dr. Rocchetti
when shopping:
Skip stilettos. Heels higher than
2 inches overload the ball of your
foot, causing pain and numbness.
They can also contribute to
instability, falls, and ankle injuries.
Keep it natural. Choose boots and
shoes made of leather instead
of synthetic materials. They allow
air to flow in and keep feet dry.
For sandals and flip-flops, leather
prevents blisters.
Take care of your toes. Pointy
shoes can pinch your toes and
aggravate hammertoe, a painful
bend in your toe joints. Seek out
styles with deep, roomy toe boxes.
Comfortable shoes don’t have
to be boring. Stylish “comfort” or
“performance” pumps blend the
support of an athletic shoe with the
look of a dress shoe.
What’s your favorite summer
footwear suggestion that’s
both stylish and comfortable?
Share it with other local moms
today. Join the conversation at
MeridianMomtourage.com.
K HOVNANIAN CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL 5

Team Approach Helps Busy Teen
Manage Crohn’s Disease Ryan Pecora, now a senior at Manchester
High School, is feeling better than ever,
after Dr. Soroush helped teach him how to
manage his Crohn’s disease. Today, Ryan
stays very busy with school, work, and
playing varsity volleyball.
of treating Ryan
Pecora for Crohn’s disease, Azam Soroush,
M.D., got an interesting comment from
her young patient in December 2011.
“I feel like I don’t even have Crohn’s
anymore,” Ryan, 19, told Dr. Soroush.
Ryan was first diagnosed with Crohn’s,
a type of inflammatory bowel disease
(IBD), in 2004, after experiencing
abdominal pain, diarrhea, and fatigue.
“He was always sick, moody, grouchy,
and tired,” says his mom, Deborah, who was
diagnosed with Crohn’s in her 20s. “He was
a wrestler and at tournaments, in between
matches, he’d be asleep on the bleachers.”
Other symptoms of Crohn’s may
include rectal bleeding, fever, weight
loss, joint pain, and mouth ulcers. While
it can’t be cured, its symptoms can be
controlled through medications and
proper diet.
Even after he was first diagnosed and
placed on medication, he continued to
experience symptoms and would run
out of energy quickly while trying to
play sports. Worried about her son’s
weight loss and low energy, Deborah
took Ryan to see Dr. Soroush, a pediatric
gastroenterologist at K. Hovnanian
Children’s Hospital at Jersey Shore
University Medical Center, in summer
2007. Dr. Soroush admitted Ryan to
the hospital and began treatment with
different medications.
KHovnanianChildrensHospital.com
The IBD team at K. Hovnanian
Children’s Hospital, which consists of
doctors, nutritionists, nurses, and social
workers, addresses each patient’s unique
symptoms and educates the patient and
families about how to live with the disease.
“I already knew a lot about the disease, but
Dr. Soroush was very good about explaining
what Ryan had to do with his medications
and what foods to avoid,” Deborah says.
Dr. Soroush calls Ryan her poster child
for living with and managing Crohn’s
disease. “With any inflammatory bowel
disease, it’s important to have a team
approach,” Dr. Soroush says. “The family
and patient are important parts of that team.
In Ryan’s case, they’ve been really good with
follow-up and medication compliance.”
Today, Ryan follows through with his
daily medication regimen and is feeling
better than he ever has. He works about
30 hours a week and is back to playing
sports. His struggle with fatigue is a thing
of the past.
PROVIDING YOUR CHILDREN WITH THE CARE THEY NEED
Azam Soroush, M.D.
Board certified in
Pediatric Gastroenterology
Neptune | 732-776-4860
With a team of pediatric gastroenterologists at your side, scheduling an
appointment at our new and expanded office is easy. Call 1-800-DOCTORS
for more information.

K HOVNANIAN CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL
KIDmazing
ACTIVE, AMAZING YOU!
An Amazing Maze!
A
AB
Finished?
Check your answers on the last page
of KidMazing!

Play the Finger Game
Did you know your ring finger
(that is the one next to your
pinky) and your middle finger
muscles have tendons that
are linked? That means they
can only move together.
It’s true! Try this trick to find out.
1. Place the fingertips of your
right hand facing down on
a table.
2. Curl your middle finger
under your hand.
3. Try to llift f
up your pointer
finger.
4. Try to lift up your pinky.
5. Try to lift up your ring finger.
A-ha, impossible!
Smoking Is Gross!
You’ve probably heard that smoking is bad for you.
It hurts your lungs and can cause cancer. Hopscotch
has five other reasons not to smoke:
1. It’s unpopular. You might believe that smoking will
help you look cool and fit in. But most kids, teens,
and grown-ups choose not to smoke.
2. Smoking really stinks. It makes your breath, hair,
and clothes smell really bad. And it can turn your
teeth and fingers yellow.
3. It hurts you in sports. Smoking keeps enough
oxygen from getting to your muscles. You’re not
able to run as far or as fast as you normally would.
4. Smoking hurts you in music. Smoking makes it
harder to breathe, so it’s harder to play a wind
instrument. It can also ruin your singing voice.
5. Smoking is expensive. A pack of cigarettes can
cost between $5 and $10. If you smoke two packs
a week, that really adds up!
Make the Choice to Really Be Cool
You might think it’s OK to try smoking just once. But the
harm to your body begins with your very first cigarette.
And people who start smoking when they’re young find
it hardest to quit. So the really awesome choice is never
to smoke. The best way to show how cool you are is by
playing it smart.

Why I Want to Be a Nurse
Clair McKittrick, a senior at Freehold
Township High School, has always
been interested in medicine. So she
joined our hospital’s Medical Explorers
Club to learn more about it. Here’s
what she has to say.
“I have had a lifelong dream of
pursuing a medical career. I was
already volunteering at Jersey Shore
when I joined the Medical Explorers
Club. Soon after I started, we were
given a trauma lecture by Molly,
who was a head trauma nurse and
also an EMT.
“It inspired me to join the Tinton
Falls North First Aid Squad and sign
up for EMT classes. On June 10,
2010, I became a certified EMT-B.
“I’ve learned so much from my
experience with Medical Explorers.
And now I know exactly what I want
to be when I grow up: My dream is to
become a nurse.”
What’s an EMT?
EMT stands for emergency medical
technician. When there is an accident or
someone becomes very sick,
EMTs respond to the 911 call.
They get to the scene right
away to give medical care.
Clair is an EMT-B. The B stands
for Basic. That means she’s an
entry-level EMT. Way to go, Clair!
KID 2 KID
Clair McKittrick
Age 17
Learn More About
Medical Explorers!
Are you interested in medicine,
can join Medical Explorers, too!
The club meets once a month, and
you get to meet doctors and nurses
and get tours. If you’re interested in
Medical Explorers, ask your parents
to call 732-776-3434 to get more
information.

YOUR BRIGHT IDEAS What Should We Put on Picatso’s
Summer Reading List?
You sent us lots of great
entries for Doctor Bernard’s
‘Tail’ of Mystery. Read one of
them below!
One chilly day, Doctor Bernard was
sitting in his office. He loves to read
and write in that room because it
is full of books. Suddenly, he saw
something out of the corner of his
eye. It had gray fur, round ears, and
bright black eyes. It also had a long
tail that curled around behind its
back. It was a mouse!
Doctor Bernard followed the little
animal. It went behind a bookcase.
Doctor Bernard moved the bookcase
and saw a little hole in the wall. “So
that’s where it came from!” he said. “I
guess mice love to chew holes.”
He sat back down and picked up his
pen to write more of this story. “Hey!”
he exclaimed. “Something stole
words out of my story!”
Now, what do you think it was?
Answer: mouse
By: Jake, 6 years old, Matawan
How did you do?
Check your answers here!
Picatso loves to read. But when the school year ends,
he’s not always sure what to read next. There are
so many choices at the library — and that’s why he
needs your help!
Send in your suggestions for Picatso’s summer
reading list. Don’t forget to include the title and the
author of each book.
Ask your mom or dad to e-mail your book
suggestions to kidviews@meridianhealth.com by
Friday, May 4. We’ll print a list of our top picks in the
summer issue — just in time for you and Picatso to
get reading!
If one of your book ideas is included, we will also print
your first name, town, and age. And to thank you for
your great ideas, we’ll send you a beach towel!
Parents: Please put “Picatso’s Summer Reading List” in the e-mail subject
line. Be sure to include your home address in the e-mail so we can send
you the beach towel.
Picatso’s Summer Reading List
- Green Eggs and Ham
by Dr. Seuss
- Where the Wild Things Are
by Maurice Sendak
- The Velveteen Rabbit by
Margery Williams
- If You Give a Mouse a
CCCCCCCCCooooooooooooookieeeeee Cookie byyyyy by LLLLLLLaurrrrrrraaaaaaaa Laura Numeroff NNNNNNNNNuuuuuuuuummmmmmerrrrrofffff

in Maine
in summer 2011, Barbara got a phone
call she was afraid of: It told her she had
uterine cancer.
Those results came from a biopsy
taken just before she and her family
had left their Fair Haven home for
Maine. Additional lab work at Riverview
Medical Center later revealed early-stage
ovarian cancer as well.
As a part-time nurse at Riverview and
a substitute school nurse, Barbara knew
many local doctors and nurses — and
knew those at Riverview were experts in
what they did. So when she received the
diagnosis, she didn’t have to look far
for treatment.
In August she was referred to
Michael Manuel, M.D., a surgeon
and gynecologic oncologist affiliated
with Meridian Cancer Care. After
reviewing Barbara’s medical information,
Dr. Manuel, who focuses on minimally
invasive cancer surgery, recommended a
total laparoscopic hysterectomy.
In September, Dr. Manuel performed
the minimally invasive procedure at
Barbara, a Fair Haven resident,
is back to enjoying biking and
spending time with her husband
of 24 years and her 8-year-old son
after Riverview doctors treated her
uterine and ovarian cancer.
Local Mom Benefits from
Compassionate Cancer Care
Riverview. It is done through a few
dime-sized incisions in the abdomen.
Because it’s done with smaller incisions,
the recovery is faster than it would be
following a traditional open surgery.
The procedure was the right fit for
Barbara and a success. But beyond that,
Barbara says, Dr. Manuel helped her and
her family through the emotional challenges
that come with a cancer diagnosis.
“He was so kind and so compassionate,”
says Barbara, 53. “He allowed me to
verbalize all of my concerns. He is a
wonderful human being and an
excellent surgeon.”
Dr. Manuel credits the staff and
facilities at Riverview, where patients are
provided with the latest in comprehensive
cancer care.
A More In-Depth Look
Michael R. Manuel, M.D.
Board certified in
Obstetrics/Gynecology and
Gynecologic Oncology
Neptune | 732-897-7944
“Within the Meridian system, I
can provide high-quality gynecology
cancer services, including surgery and
chemotherapy, allowing patients to be
treated near home,” Dr. Manuel says.
Barbara was feeling fully recovered by
the middle of October, and she and her
family returned to Maine for Christmas.
Her outlook for 2012 was a brighter and
healthier one. “I really feel like I’m back
to life,” she says.
Visit MeridianCancerCareNJ.com to watch a video in which Barbara tells
more of her story. While there, check out more inspiring videos from
cancer patients who have been helped through Meridian Cancer Care.
K

Second in a three-part series on bullying
Sticks and Stones Start
Young: Bullying in
Elementary School
a bully might be
a tough 12th-grader who stuffs a puny
freshman into a locker. But bullying starts
long before high school. In fact, 21 percent
of U.S. elementary schools cite bullying as a
disciplinary problem they face. If your child
has been bullied — or has been the bully —
he or she may not tell you. Learn the signs
of bullying, to help keep kids safe.
What Does Bullying Look Like?
“Bullying is aggressive behavior that’s
repeated and on purpose,” says Ramon
Solhkhah, M.D., chair of Psychiatry at
Jersey Shore University Medical Center
and part of Meridian Neuroscience.
“Kids who seem weak are usually the target.”
To a child in elementary school,
weakness may mean:
Size: Bigger kids often pick on
smaller kids.
Watch for the next article in this series
later this year.
Age: Older children, including siblings
at home, may target younger children.
Gender: At this age, boys may express
romantic interest in girls by bullying.
Kids who are victims are often too
embarrassed or scared to tell their parents.
Dr. Solhkhah recommends staying alert
for these signs:
Injuries, such as black eyes or bruises
Lost or damaged clothes, books,
or toys
Trouble sleeping
Frequent stomachaches or headaches
Asking to stay home from school
Extreme hunger after school from not
eating lunch
KHovnanianChildrensHospital.com
GIVING BACK: A POSITIVE ALTERNATIVE TO BULLYING
Andrew Roginski, Justin Scharaldi, and Liam
Martin learn about good sportsmanship and
how to be good citizens as members of Cub
Scout Pack 157 of Manalapan.
Ramon Solhkhah, M.D.
Board certified in
Psychiatry, Child and
Adolescent Psychiatry, and
Addiction Psychiatry
Neptune | 732-643-4356
Other unexplained changes in
behavior or mood
Parents should also watch for evidence
that their child is bullying others, such as:
Frequently getting into verbal or
physical fights
Coming home with new money or
with items you didn’t purchase
Being sent to the principal’s office often
Hanging out with others who are bullies
What Can Parents Do?
You can help your child stay safe by
following these tips:
Teach your child to not react to a
bully’s demands. Practice how your
child will answer assertively when a
bully confronts him.
Foster friendships. Children with
a strong group of friends seem less
vulnerable.
Document any bullying and address
it with school officials. Don’t contact
a bully’s parents directly — that may
worsen the problem.
“If your child is the bully, let her know
her behavior won’t be tolerated,” says
Dr. Solhkhah. “Set a positive example and
work with her school to find solutions.”
Volunteering is one healthy way to keep kids active. Junior volunteers
at Meridian can give back by working with patients or by helping
behind the scenes. To find out more, call 1-800-DOCTORS.

Christie Rampone, shown here
at a meet-and-greet, knows the
importance of stretching before a
run. Get more running tips from
Christie by visiting her blog at
MeridianMomtourage.com.
Finish Line by Fall: Running Your First 5K
— that’s 3.1 miles —
may sound daunting. But it can be a
realistic fitness goal, even if you’ve never
run a step. With the right preparation,
you can conquer this course in five to 10
weeks of training. These tips from Jason
Wong, D.O., of Southern Ocean Medical
Center, will help you to stay motivated.
Stock Up with the Right Gear
Before you start training for any sport, you
need the right equipment. Luckily, running
is a relatively inexpensive sport. For safe and
comfortable training, be sure to have:
Running shoes that fit well. Go to
a specialty running store for help
picking the best pair for your feet.
Absorbent socks. Unlike cotton socks,
these keep your feet dry and reduce
friction, protecting you from blisters.
Jason Wong, D.O.
Board certified in
Orthopedic Surgery
Forked River |
609-242-6999
A safe running route. “A route
that’s clear, smooth, even, and
relatively soft will keep you striding
injury-free,” says Dr. Wong. “A
rubber track or dirt path is best.”
Safe, Smart Training
Look for a training program from a
reliable source online. A good program
starts slowly and builds over time. Less
experienced runners might start with a
routine that alternates shorter spurts of
jogging with walking. As you become
more comfortable with the routine, you
can gradually increase your running
segments until you’re jogging the
whole time.
Train for the Heart and Sole Cup
“Do not increase your time or mileage by
more than 10 percent per week to reduce
your risk for injury,” says Dr. Wong. “And
do 20 to 30 minutes of other aerobic
activities on the days you’re not running.
This will help you build endurance.”
Be sure to leave at least one or two
rest days per week. Your body needs time
to recover.
Race-Day Rules
Before the big day arrives, run or drive along
the course so that you’re familiar with its
twists and turns. Keep these other tips in
mind to have your best race-day experience:
Eat a light carbohydrate snack an hour
and a half before your run. Drink plenty
of water before and during the race.
Don’t go faster than your training
pace. At your first race, your main goal
is to cross the finish line.
Our first-ever series of 5K races, the Heart and Sole Cup, kicks off on
May 19 at Ocean Medical Center in Brick. Not quite ready? Start
training for Jersey Shore’s 5K on September 16. To register, visit
www.MeridianHealth.com/HeartandSoleCup.
K

Your Guide to Preventing
Sprains, Strains, and Shin Splints
every bump,
scrape, and bruise during childhood. But
you can help reduce your child’s risk for
sports injuries such as strains, sprains, and
shin splints.
“Make sure your young athlete warms
up properly before any game or practice
and cools down after,” says Patrick
Buddle, M.D., medical director of
rehabilitation at Jersey Shore University
Medical Center. “Eating a healthy diet
and staying in shape can also keep
growing bones, joints, and muscles safe.”
When injury does strike, use this guide
from Dr. Buddle to know what to do.
Fast treatment helps children return to
the activities they enjoy.
Sprains
Situation: Your child falls, twists, or gets
hit on the knee, wrist, elbow, or ankle.
Symptoms: He or she may feel a pop
Sabina Graziano, 14, has been going to
physical fitness at Meridian Life Fitness
since January, when she injured her knee
playing soccer for her school. Specialists
like Natalie Billie have helped her get
stronger so she’s ready to play when the
season starts again.
or tear when the sprain, an injury to a
ligament that connects and stabilizes
joints, occurs. Pain, swelling, and bruising
often develop afterward.
Smart start: Use the RICE method —
rest, ice, compression with an elastic
bandage, and elevation.
Signs to beware: If the swelling and pain
are intense, if the joint is locked or unstable,
or if your child can’t bear weight, take
your child to the Emergency Department.
Strains
Situation: Your child twists, pulls, or
overstresses a muscle, such as when
throwing a pitch or kicking a soccer ball.
FREE RESOURCE FOR BUSY MOMS
KHovnanianChildrensHospital.com
Patrick M. Buddle, M.D.
Board certified in
Physical Medicine
and Rehabilitation
Sea Girt | 732-974-8100
Symptoms: Strains are stretches or
tears in muscles or tendons, which
connect muscles to bones. They cause
pain, limited motion, swelling, cramping,
and muscle weakness.
Smart start: Reduce swelling and pain
with ice and rest.
Signs to beware: If your child has
pain in the neck or back, if numbness
or weakness runs down an arm or leg,
or if there are changes in skin color, see
a doctor.
Shin Splints
Symptoms: Your young runner or dancer
repeatedly stresses his or her legs by
increasing the time spent training.
Signs: Shin splints occur when muscles,
tendons, or the thin layer of tissue
covering the shinbone become swollen
and inflamed over time. Pain strikes the
front, lower leg.
Smart start: Encourage two to four
weeks of rest, followed by a gradual return
to activity.
Signs to beware: If your child’s pain
doesn’t subside after some time off, call
a doctor. This could be a sign of stress
fracture, a small crack in the bone that
often requires crutches to heal.
Are you receiving Your Health-e Child yet? Sign up today to get the next
issue, which will include an article about ligaments and tendons. Visit
www.MeridianHealth.com/enewsletters to sign up.

Play It Safe on the
Playground
places
for children to make friends, stay fit, gain
coordination, and just plain be kids.
Even so, they can pose dangers to
children. Beyond everyday cuts and bruises,
about 45 percent of playground-related
injuries are severe. The toll includes broken
bones, internal injuries, and concussions.
“Most playground injuries take place
on climbing equipment and swings,” says
Bradley Pulver, M.D., medical director,
Emergency Services, for Ocean Medical
Center and Ocean Care Center.
Happily, following these safety guidelines
can reduce your child’s accident risk.
On the Playground
“Adult supervision is a key component
of playground injury prevention,” says
Dr. Pulver. “Not only can adults ensure
proper use of equipment, they can also
tend to any injuries that occur.”
Parents, teachers, babysitters, and other
adult caregivers should also take these steps:
Avoid taking children to playgrounds
that have concrete, asphalt, or other
hard surfaces under equipment.
Instead, look for playgrounds that have
shock-absorbing material.
Keep children on age-appropriate
equipment.
Don’t let children crowd the exit areas
of slides. Make sure there’s enough
space for kids to exit merry-go-rounds.
Steer children away from swing seats
made of wood or metal. Plastic or
rubber is better.
GET FREE HEALTH REMINDER STICKERS!
Eight-year-old Kendle Davis is in third grade
at Hope Academy Charter School. She
enjoys playing on the swings, tunnels, and
monkey bars.
Did you miss the winter issue of Meridian KidViews? If so,
you also missed our health reminder stickers — including fun
ones for kids! Call 1-800-DOCTORS to request your free copy.
Bradley L. Pulver, M.D.
Board certified in
Emergency Medicine
Brick | 732-840-3380
Keep children away from any
equipment that could trap a
child’s head.
Make sure you can clearly see
your children at all times when
they’re playing.
Report hazards such as tree stumps,
rocks, and exposed concrete footings.
Safety at Home
These strategies can help keep kids safe
on home playground sets:
Assemble playground equipment
correctly. Install it on a level surface
and anchor it firmly.
Place caps on all screws and bolts
to prevent cuts and scrapes. Check
periodically for loose bolts and
broken components.
Install energy-absorbent mats or
loose fill materials such as shredded
rubber, sand, or wood chips at least
9 inches deep below equipment.
To prevent strangulation, don’t
attach jump ropes, pet leashes,
clotheslines, and the like to
equipment.
“Close supervision by an attentive
adult who is monitoring and enforcing
safe use of equipment is the most
important factor in preventing
playground injuries,” says Dr. Pulver.
K
s!

10291M
1350 Campus Parkway
Neptune, NJ 07753
Spring 2012
Visit us on the Web at MeridianHealth.com.
KHovnanianChildrensHospital.com
Upcoming Events
at Meridian Health
Call 1-800-DOCTORS for details
or to register for any of these events.
To Your Heart:
Joan Hamburg’s
Exclusive Broadcast
with Meridian Health
Join Meridian Women’s Heart
Connection as Joan Hamburg, host
of The Joan Hamburg Show on WOR
NewsTalk Radio 710, interviews a
panel of Meridian CardioVascular
Network physicians. The interview will
be broadcast on WOR. Tickets are
$50 and include access to the radio
broadcast taping and dinner. Proceeds
benefit the Women’s Philanthropic
Fund. To register, please call
1-800-560-9990.
May 15, 3:00 – 6:00 p.m.
Robert B. Meyner Reception Center
PNC Arts Center, Holmdel
Tackling Stroke
Join experts from Meridian
Neuroscience for an evening of
lifesaving information on risk factors,
prevention, and detection. Meridian
Neuroscience spokesperson Harry
Carson, former New York Giants
football legend and Hall of Famer, will
be the keynote speaker. AngioScreen
stroke screening will be available at a
reduced cost. AngioScreen registration
is required in addition to the event.
May 3
Neptune High School Performing
Arts Center
55 Neptune Blvd., Neptune
Paint the Town Pink!
It is time for Paint the Town Pink! We
are excited to welcome even more
Pink Partners and towns than ever
to this annual occasion that raises
awareness of the importance of annual
mammography in our community.
Visit PaintTheTownPink.com for a
complete list of participating
locations and events.
May 4 – 12
Train for Your
First 5K!
See page 13.
Non-profit Org.
U.S. Postage
PAID
Meridian
Health
Children’s Group Counseling
Meridian Behavioral Health offers
intensive therapy in age-specific
groups for children facing emotional
or behavioral difficulties. Call
732-869-2759 for registration,
schedules, and fees.
Car Seat Safety Check
Sponsored by the New Jersey State
Police and the Trauma Center at Jersey
Shore University Medical Center. No
registration necessary.
First Tuesday of each month
3:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Jersey Shore
University Medical Center